Romanian and U.S. key defense leaders pose for a photo with Airmen from the 31st Expeditionary Operations Group, Detachment 1 at Campia Turzii, Romania, Feb. 4, 2021. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Savannah L. Waters)
On July 14, an MQ-9 Reaper combat drone of the US Air Force (USAF) crashed during a training mission south of the Romanian Air Force 71st Air Base near the city of Campia Turzii in Romania’s northern region.
Romanian Defense Minister Vasile Dîncu said that the crash caused no injuries as the drone fell in a cornfield in an uninhabited area.
“[The USAF is] carrying out the initial investigation right now,” the local media quoted the minister as saying. “We are also in contact with them, we will support them if needed”.
In May 2021, the USAF deployed MQ-9 drones and approximately 90 airmen at Romania’s 71st Air Base to conduct intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance missions in support of NATO operations.
The MQ-9 was developed by General Atomics. When carrying two 450 kg external fuel tanks and 450 kg of precision-guided munitions, the newest versions of the drone have an endurance of 42 hours. The Reaper has an operational range of 1,900 kilometers.
Following the start of the Russian special military operations in Ukraine, NATO spy aircraft, especially MQ-9 drones, became very active in Romania’s airspace. Spy aircraft are being spotted along Roman’s border with Ukraine as well as over the country’s territorial waters. These aircraft have been reportedly providing intelligence on the movement of Russian forces to Kiev forces.
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